Randy Newman took his tour of songs from his latest album, Harps and Angels, and throughout his career, across the Midwest this past weekend, with stops Waukegan, Illinois, north of Chicago, for a show at the Genesee Theatre on Friday; then to Kansas City' Folly Theater on Saturday; and Des Moines' Hoyt Sherman Theatre last night.

Robert Loerzel, a contributor for the Lake Forester, the Sun-Times News Group's local Waukegan paper, writes that Randy showed he "is as much of a humorist and raconteur as he is a composer, and he was in top form Friday" at the Genesee Theatre. Loerzel continues:

Newman played every song from his excellent new album, Harps and Angels," deftly substituting piano solos for everything that the orchestra and backing musicians do in the studio. Whether he was playing a New Orleans boogie-woogie or more symphonic chords, it sounded lively and lyrical ...

The performance demonstrated how well constructed Newman's songs are—both as pieces of music and short stories that sometimes resemble comedy routines. The jokes don't get old because they're filled with insights about human nature and politics.

To read the complete review of the Waukegan show, visit pioneerlocal.com.

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Timothy Finn of the Kansas City Star reports from Saturday's show, "The focus this evening was on Newman, his songs and a crowd that deeply appreciated both." He sums up Randy's unique talents this way: "No one does what he does the way he does it: sing and comment with humor, sadness, anger and regret about everything from world history, politics, religion and socio-economics to love, death, sex and parenthood."

Read more of the concert review and a complete set list at kansascity.com.